HB 1091 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
5Mar2026... 0657h
04/23/2026 1544s
2026 SESSION
26-2510
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1091
AN ACT relative to unauthorized camping on private property.
SPONSORS: Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. A. Murray, Hills. 20; Rep. O'Rorke, Ches. 7; Rep. Scherr, Rock. 26; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. D. Paige, Carr. 1; Rep. Beauchemin, Hills. 3; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Watters, Dist 4
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits camping without permission on another's private property and adds penalties for such violations.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
5Mar2026... 0657h
04/23/2026 1544s 26-2510
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to unauthorized camping on private property.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:
I. Unauthorized camping on public and private property in densely populated municipalities presents significant challenges to public health, sanitation, and safety, and interferes with the rights of property owners.
II. Municipalities have an interest in ensuring that land is not used for habitation without appropriate consent, oversight, and provision for waste disposal and emergency access.
III. While current law prohibits camping on public rights-of-way and public property without permission, there is no parallel prohibition governing unauthorized camping on private land in larger municipalities, which has resulted in conflicts between landowners, municipalities, and law enforcement.
IV. It is therefore the purpose of this act to extend existing protections against unauthorized camping to private property in municipalities of more than 10,000 residents, to clarify the role of law enforcement in such matters, and to preserve both public order and private property rights.
2 Private Property Camping Restriction. Amend RSA 236:58 and the subdivision heading preceding RSA 236:58 to read as follows:
Camping Along Highways and on Public and Private Property
236:58 Camping Restricted.
I. No person shall pitch a tent or place or erect any other camping device or sleep on the ground within the public right-of-way or on public property unless permission is received from the governing board of the governmental authority having jurisdiction over such public right-of-way or property.
II.(a) In any municipality with a population greater than 10,000 as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, no person shall camp, erect a tent, place or erect any other camping device, or sleep on the ground upon private property unless:
(1) The person has written permission from the owner of the property; or
(2) The property owner is continuously present on the premises at the time of such camping and consents to the activity.
(b) This paragraph shall not apply to campsites or recreational campgrounds or camping parks regulated pursuant to RSA 216-I.
III. In enforcement of paragraph II of this section, law enforcement officials shall not be required to obtain or rely upon a written no trespass order from the property owner if the person cannot satisfy either subparagraph II(a)(1) or (2).
3 Additional Penalty for Camping on Private Property. Amend RSA 236:59 to read as follows:
236:59 Penalty. Any person who violates RSA 236:58 shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person; and, in addition, shall be liable for the cost of restoration for any damage caused to a highway easement or right-of-way or to private land disturbed by such unlawful camping.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2510
04/23/2026
HB 1091- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1544s)
AN ACT relative to unauthorized camping on private property.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
| ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 24, 2026 | 2026-0657h |
| April 17, 2026 | 2026-1544s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 21, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 9, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 23, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
April 21, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1544s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
April 21, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1544s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
April 17, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1544s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15A
April 1, 2026: Hearing: 04/09/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 14
March 6, 2026: Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
March 5, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0657h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6
March 5, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0657h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6
Feb. 24, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0657h 02/13/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 9 P. 4
Feb. 24, 2026: Executive Session: 02/13/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
Jan. 15, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/21/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 5